Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-03-25
rAwu AND mOUsns,oLD.

n
BEES OR NO BEEs.-"Shall / keep
bees?" is question that every young
farmer, or other person outside of cities
may properly ask himself. There are
vast quantities of nectar going to waste
in both wild and cultivated plants.
Shall he attempt to save share Of it?
The answer to this should largely de-
pend upon whether he likes honey. Ii
fond OF honey, he will probably give to
his bees the attention they require. Ii
Indifferent to this form of sweetness, his
Bookkeeping is not likely to be success.
full, unless the hope of profit by the sale
of honey may stimulate TO giving the
needful care. The labor required is not
great, but il must be given at the proper
time. IL one is in doubt as to whether
he shall keep bees, he should procure
one of the several standard works or the
subject. and study it. If he has the
tastes Of naturalist, he will see that
new and most interesting field is pre-
sented, and that honey and wax are not,
the only returns the bees make to those
who observe them properly. All expe-
rienced apiarists advise beginning on Il
small scale. The care of a single colony
and its Increase, the first year, will give
all the instruction needed to qualify one
10 TharR
probably few, if any, localities in this
country that are over stocked with bees,
and the cultivation Of honey plants has
become necessary for the sake Of their
nectar alone.
SPRING FARM CLEANING-While the
wife cleans the house. let the husband
clean the farm. If vegetable matter Is
left about the yard, its rapid decay dur
ing the damp, warm weather of spring
and summer, will poison the air and af-
feet the health of the family. If left
about the barn, lots and fields, it will
have like influence on the farm ami
mails. Hogs are doubly liable TO be in
jured, for they not only breathe the
fOuled air. but nest in such litter. Farm
cleaning will save loss from disease.
The litter has great value as fertilizer
when properly applied. The intelligent
use of this manure ensures better crops.
aud the farm is capable of more thor
,.,lt A m
appearances are improved. Make bon
fire OF pieces Of wood, brush, stumps,
etc., not fit for fuel. and give the char
coal to the swine and the ashes TO the
fruit trees. Remember this work is not
complete until those stumps and stones
are removed which can be taken out with
reasonable amount of labor; until the
trees about the house and in the orchard
are pruned; until the old growth is taken
from raspberri-s. gooseberries. currants,
etc. until all the "underbrush" is clear
ed out of the wOod-lot; until all the
bitches are opened aud pools are drain
ed: in short until the farm is clean AMI
neat. Conveniently enough, nearly all
or all of this work, can be done before
the spring blowing is begun.
SOURCES OF DIsLAsE.-Bad air ana
bld water are iruiliui sous res "f disease.
When several members uf family are
unwpll and srrm lausuid aud depressed
the cause should be sough for aud dis
covered. When there is an outbreak OF
any infections malady, as diptheria. Un
less the case can be distinctly traced To
contagion from previous case, the SAN
itary condition of the house and its sur
roundings should be suspected and care
fully examined. The drinking water
may be contaminated by leakage from
some cesspool, or defective drain ;
sewer gas may be escaping into the
dwelling through an untrapped pipe,
or decay ing vegetables and refuse in
the cellar may be poisoning the air. The
wise housekeeper does Lot wait until
illness starlles her 10 attend 10 these
things, but when it does come its warn
ing shonld not be disregarded.
NICE BREAD CAKE.-Nice bread-cake is
made OF two cupfuls of light-bread
dough, one and a half cupfuls of sugar,
half cupful of butter, three table.
spoonfuls of sour milk, half teaspoon
full of soda, half grated nutmeg, tea
spoonful Of cinnamon, cupful of rails
ms chopped and with flour busted over
them. Stir all i'm but the raisins, and
put them the last thing. 1t should rise
for half an hour and then be baked in ii
moderate oven.
BANBURY CAKEs.-Take quarter of a
pound of butter and beat it to cream,
cut half pound OF mixed peel very fine,
and add to that half pound Of currants
well washed and picked; quarter OF
an ounce of ground cinnamon; mix all
we'll together. and add half a teaspoon
full of cream; roll out puff paste; lay in
the mixture; shape them, and bake
twenty minutes.
GERMAN SoUP.-Mclt half an ounce of
fresh butter in d saucepan; when very
hot add half an onion chopped fine and
teaspoonful of caraway seeds; when
the onion is slightly Drowned add three
quarts veal stock, well seasoned, simmer
gently for three quarters of an hour.
Prepare some marrow dumplings; boil
them in water. or portion of the soup,